Remember When U2 Played in the Basement of Dooley’s?

U2 is a mega-huge band that's known worldwide. But before they became as big as they are today, do you remember when they played at Dooley's? Point of reference, Dooley's is now Harpers.

The year was 1981, specifically December 7th of 1981. The Irish band U2 was on their first tour of the United States and one of their stops was the basement of Dooleys in East Lansing.

In 1981, I was all about music, and I was already a huge fan of U2. The band was in town for their tour in support of their album, Boy. Getting to see them close-up was pretty sweet, and for many of us in attendance, we felt like we were witness to something amazing. The boys in the band were so sweet and quiet, you could tell that they were very nervous with this whole touring thing. When I saw U2 next, they were the headliners at the Pontiac Silverdome. Quite a step up for the band.

40 years after their show at Dooley's, U2 came back to East Lansing with an amazing show at Spartans Stadium. During that show, U2's lead singer, Bono, spoke about their first time in East Lansing when someone took a chance on them.

That someone happened to be Mr. Dooley, and the band has never forgotten his kindness to them. Bono remembered how Dooley took a chance on 4 young lads from Ireland back in 1981 and that they are forever grateful. Mr. Dooley was in the stands for that Spartan Stadium show and got to hear the band, in person, give him thanks.

East Lansing was a place that so many artists made a stop in on their way to fame. Bob Seger, REO Speedwagon, The Ramones, Aretha Franklin, Hall & Oates, Dolly Parton, and Foreigner, just to name a few.